NCWRC Operations Closings and Alerts

Conservation Area Closings

Updated 7/11/2024

• Kings Bridge Wildlife Conservation Area – 87-acre area in Henderson County, NC, will be closed during July through September 2024. The Commission-owned property is undergoing habitat restoration initiatives during which time heavy equipment operation is occurring on the property making it unsafe for public access.

Game Land Closings

Updated October 8, 2024

Due to weather-related and other incidents, access on the following game lands or game land areas is restricted. Access roads and trails will remain closed until they have each been evaluated and deemed to be safe and suitable for public use.

• Big Bradley Falls Trail at Green River Game Land - The waterfall and the posted areas adjacent to the waterfall along the Big Bradley Falls Trail have been designated as a Temporary Restricted Zone by the Commission until further notice. Entry into the Zone is prohibited without first obtaining written approval from the Commission. Written approval can be obtained by filling out and signing a Memorandum of Agreement (choose  Outfitter or Individual Agreement) and emailing it to gamelands@ncwildlife.org. The signed Agreement will be returned to you via email within 5 business days. For questions about the Agreement, please call 919-707-0150 or email gamelands@ncwildlife.org. Anyone who accesses the area without prior written approval could be charged with a Class 3 Misdemeanor, which carries a fine of $25 and additional court costs.
• Buffalo Cove Game Land - Cove Branch Road is closed at the lower gate for logging. The anticipated date of reopening is October 2, 2024.
• Dupont State Forest Game Land – Due to impacts from Tropical Storm Helene, the NC Forest Service closed the game land until further notice. There will be no permit hunts allowed on it until reopened.
• Hyco Game Land - a 28-acre area adjacent to the dam on After Bay Reservoir is temporarily closed due to maintenance and construction by Duke Energy. The area's perimeter is posted with "No Trespass" signs.
• Lower Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land
  • The road to Minges impoundment at the Conoho Tract is temporarily closed for road repairs.
  • River Road at Conoho Tract is temporarily closed due to high water.
• National Forests - current alerts and closures.
• Pisgah Game Land: Linville River Tract (Burke County) - A 2-mile section of the Lake James Loop / Fonta Flora Connector trail stretching east from Wolf Pit Road to Fish Hatchery Road will be temporarily closed beginning 10/30/2023 until further notice to facilitate a forest restoration project on the game land. For the safety of the public, due to ongoing timber harvesting operations, heavy equipment use, and stream rehabilitation activities, use of this section of trail will be prohibited. Updates regarding the reopening of the trail will be posted on site and as they become available. Map image of the closed section of trail.